[wily1]

Well going hunting for turkeys for the first time in 9 years. So this will only be my second time out. So morning, evening, or afternoon?

[WisconsinHunter]

Find out where they roost. Go set up near there very early in the morning. Start calling right before they get off the roost and when they do get off the roost they should come right to you. In the morning they're usually out in fields as well. I'd say the morning is good for turkey hunting or later in the afternoon. I shot mine a few weeks ago just after noon and last year I got mine at about 9am. We stopped seeing them between about 10-noon but it started picking up after then. Good luck!

[wily1]

Thanks! Figured it was time to dust off the shotgun, haven't used it much since I took up bow hunting a few years ago. There are a few turkeys running around these parts and we have a spring (visible beard only) and a fall season "anything goes". Also a good chance to scout out areas for elk in case I get drawn this fall, put in for rifle 1st and then archery.

[roverboy]

I agree with what WisconsinHunter said. My favorite time is between 9:30-12:00 in the morning. It seems the gobblers get lonely and easier to call. I have luck out in pastures and fields using decoys at these times.

[papadave]

The hens go to the nest and the Toms do what comes natural. Go and sweet talk to the first good looking hen they see even if she is plastic and backed up by a shotgun.

[ArkansasHunter]

What we do is get in the woods as quietly as possible before day light, We leave the 4 wheelers at home to.
Most of the time since we know the woods we hunt in, we make our way to a certain spot to listen.
Once there we wait and listen. A gobbler will gobble right "before" it goes to turning daylight if there still gobbling. they do come down with Loc-Jaw.

If your lucky and there still gobbling, QUIETLY and I mean quietly make your way to the gobbler but don't sneak right up on it.

Find a place to set up and hopefully you've gone undetected. Make a few low purrs and if you hear the Tom fly down, then make a few soft yelps and wait.
If your lucky he'll come to you if not you'll have to entice him with more calling. Sometimes they don't come. That happens a lot LOL.

By 9 a.m the Hens are on there nest and Mr Gobbler is lonely LOL So be still, wait and call.
You'll most likely have to move and set up else where in the latter part of the morning.

If you really like turkey hunting you need to start going to your hunting area in the evenings to listen before the season opens and dureing the season.
Turkeys flying up to roost make a lot of noise and when you learn where they roost, you can be there when they fly down.

Nothing is more uncomfortable as sitting on the ground waiting for a turkey. It pretty much cripples me for a minute after getting up so find a cushion thats comfortable to sit on.
Best of Luck...A.H

[FortyXDM]

[QUOTE=wily1;1178517[B]] Best time of day for turkeys[/B][/QUOTE]

I'd say dinner, but lunch is good too.

[wily1]

Well we got one yesterday about 1230. Walked around for a couple of hours then almost back where we started we heard some gobbling. So we set up and my buddy blasted one. We had an agreement that I'd shoot to the left and he'd shoot to the right of the decoy. So anyway he was closer to Craig so I gave a few soft calls to keep him interested and Craig's new Mossberg Turkey Gun did the job. The camo wrap I put on my Mossberg seems to blend in quite well.

[Oxford]

I would say that 12:30 p.m. would be a great time for turkey hunting.(ha) That would beat what I do...in the woods before sunup and out at 1 p.m.

In MO, we're allowed to hunt turkeys from 30 minutes before sunup till 1:00 p.m. Each season the hours may be changed...depending upon the results of the previous years turkey harvest and what state fish and game authorities decide.